A search for X-ray emission from Saturn, Uranus and Neptune
Abstract
We present an analysis of X-ray observations of the trans-Jovian planets Saturn, Uranus and Neptune with the ROSAT PSPC in comparison with X-ray observations of Jupiter. For the first time a marginal X-ray detection of Saturn was found and 95% confidence upper limits for Uranus and Neptune were obtained. These upper limits show that Jupiter-like X-ray luminosities can be excluded for all three planets, while they are consistent assuming intrinsic Saturn-like X-ray luminosities. Similar X-ray production mechanisms on all trans-Jovian planets can therefore not be ruled out, and spectral shape and total luminosity observed from Saturn are consistent with thick-target bremsstrahlung caused by electron precipitation as occurring in auroral emission from the Earth.
- Publication:
-
Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Pub Date:
- March 2000
- DOI:
- 10.48550/arXiv.astro-ph/0001131
- arXiv:
- arXiv:astro-ph/0001131
- Bibcode:
- 2000A&A...355..394N
- Keywords:
-
- PLANETS AND SATELLITES: GENERAL;
- PLANETS AND SATELLITES: INDIVIDUAL: NEPTUNE;
- PLANETS AND SATELLITES: INDIVIDUAL: SATURN;
- PLANETS AND SATELLITES: INDIVIDUAL: URANUS;
- X-RAYS: GENERAL;
- Astrophysics
- E-Print:
- Accepted to Astronomy and Astrophysics, January 2000. 4 pages, no figures